19 January 2009
The Head of Employee Relations for the States has expressed his disappointment that the Ambulance Service has decided to work to contract. Mick Pinel says a joint working party is seeking ways to resolve the ongoing disagreement over grade structure within the service.
Two independent reviews of the Ambulance Service were carried out last year, and neither found in favour of the case for an increase in pay, as requested by the union. A review by an ACAS arbitrator did make recommendations on how the two sides could work together to review the roles, and those recommendations are being followed.
Mick Pinel says a joint working party was set up after the review by ACAS arbitrator Professor Lynette Harris, and has already met to discuss a way forward.
“I am disappointed this action is being taken, as the working party was only set up at the end of last year and has not yet had a chance to reach a resolution. Neither of the two independent reviews has found an easy solution to this issue, and we need to work together to resolve it.
“We have a “no impairment of service” agreement with the Ambulance Service, and I hope this agreement is not compromised by this decision to work to contract.”
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
1. For further information, please contact Mick Pinel on 440002
gov.je